MD, Regional Head of Legal, APAC

This position reports to the General Counsel & Deputy Head of APAC.  It is based in Singapore.  The position is responsible for managing and overseeing legal teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Taiwan, S Korea, Vietnam (including affiliates in Singapore and HK) and all legal matters they cover.  This includes providing legal guidance, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and managing legal risks across business and operations units.  A key component of this role is to provide strategic, advice and support to senior leadership across the region, taking into account not only legal but also broader considerations such as business-specific matters. The position is also required to work with legal teams of the bank in India and Indonesia.

This position reports to the General Counsel & Deputy Head of APAC.  It is based in Singapore.  The position is responsible for managing and overseeing legal teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Taiwan, S Korea, Vietnam (including affiliates in Singapore and HK) and all legal matters they cover.  This includes providing legal guidance, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and managing legal risks across business and operations units.  A key component of this role is to provide strategic, advice and support to senior leadership across the region, taking into account not only legal but also broader considerations such as business-specific matters. The position is also required to work with legal teams of the bank in India and Indonesia.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, mentor and manage the regional legal and legal documentation teams to ensure high performance and professional development
• Ensure the legal teams provide timely and effective legal advice and manage legal risks soundly
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic legal guidance to support business decision‑making and enterprise‑wide initiatives
• Drive innovation and efficiency in legal operations through technology and process improvements

2.      Legal Risk Management
   1. Develop and implement legal business plans for the regional legal teams in alignment with the overall goals and objectives of the bank
   2. Advise senior leadership on complex or sensitive legal issues, including risk implications and recommended courses of action
   3. Proactively identify potential legal risks and work to mitigate them
   4. Oversee litigation, investigations and dispute resolution in the region
   5. Ensure legal risks arising from new products and services are addressed and mitigated

3.   Compliance with Regulations

• Working with the Compliance teams, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
•  Liaise or advice on communications with regulators, external bodies and governmental agencies when required

4. Contract Negotiations and Management
   1. Oversee the review, drafting and negotiation of contracts the bank enters into
   2. Ensure contracts are aligned with bank policies and legal requirements
   3. Provide legal support for M&A, joint ventures and other strategic transactions in the region

5. Collaboration with Internal stakeholders

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and Legal Dept in head office and each region to address legal issues impacting business and operations of the bank
• Provide legal advice to internal stakeholders and management
• Provide training on legal matters

6. External Relationships

• Develop and manage relationships with external law firms, consultants and other third parties as relevant to the regional legal function
• Represent the bank in public forums, industry groups and regulatory meetings as required

• Ensure cost-effective and high-quality external legal support.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Strong law degree from a reputable university
• Called to the Bar in a country in the Asia Pacific Division, preferably Singapore
• At least 20 years post qualification experience working in a renowned law firm or an international bank or financial institution’s in house legal team, with at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role
• Experience managing cross cultural, cross functional teams and handling cross border legal issues
• Strong knowledge of banking and finance laws, contract law and employment law
• Excellent communications, negotiations and interpersonal skills
• Experience with dispute resolution and investigations would be advantageous
• Strong business acumen and understanding of commercial matters to be able to balance legal and commercial considerations
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment